Teachers can be so influential on children of all ages when they genuinely care, and I have personally had some music teachers that really did change my life. They taught me how to be confident in my individualism, how to work hard to achieve tough goals, and how to appreciate music and the empathy it encompasses. These people are so often overlooked for what they do, which is so much more than just throwing instruments into the hands of middle and high schoolers and waving their arms around to conduct. Continue reading “The Power of the Teacher”

Yes, you read that right: breathing gym. When I state those words to people who have never heard of this kind of training, I am often met with surprise and skepticism. However, it is a wonderful thing to learn from and take advantage of if you are a wind player or if you teach a wind ensemble. Continue reading “Breathing Gym”

Music education provides so many opportunities for children to learn skills that are applicable for anything that comes their way, and one of these skills is learning how to work in a team. By playing in orchestras and wind ensembles, one learns how to listen to others and find where they fit into the grander scheme of things. However, sometimes students get lost in these larger groups — they either fall behind, or they feel that they are unimportant and that nobody would notice if they did not play altogether. This is when the jazz combo gains significance. Continue reading “Benefits of the Combo”

More often than not, the section leader is the best instrumentalist in their section. They practice their instrument as they should, they have good tone, and they generally know what they are doing. They are the most mastered at their instrument in the group, and they are the example the director wants the other students to strive for. However, although being a section leader means that one is a talented musician, there is so much more that goes into holding this respected position — a section leader is a role model, a teacher, and ideally a friend. Continue reading “What It Means to Be a Section Leader”

One of the key things students learn in school music ensembles is how to have respect for the arts, and respect for each other in concert settings. These are invaluable lessons, but they can often be undermined when parents set such bad examples in the concert setting. For the sake of your child and the arts, pay attention parents. Continue reading “Concert Etiquette — For Parents”

Even though it is often with a large group of people, getting up on stage and performing repertoire you have been working on for months can be exhilarating and nerve-wracking, and just a lot of fun. This is the time for you to demonstrate what you have been working towards, and to impress the audience. You have talent to showcase, and you expect the audience’s attention and respect — when you are in the audience, it is your duty to reciprocate that. Continue reading “What Students Should Be Doing In the Audience”

…but that does not mean that we should stop promoting the importance of music education. The National Association for Music Education has designated March as a month of celebration and recognition after the idea for the event was conceptualized and has expanded over the last few decades. Throughout this last month, my social media feeds were filled with inspirational quotes about music education, from various organizations that I follow and my friends that are involved with music. This is the kind of promotion that will encourage others to get involved and work to protect the arts. Continue reading “Music In Our Schools Month® Is Over…”